Penrhyn Castle's parkrun celebrates first birthday.

Getting up at the crack of dawn in all-weather on Saturday mornings may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but thanks to the efforts of its volunteers, Penrhyn Castle’s parkrun has proved so popular they are now preparing to celebrate their first birthday at the historic building near Bangor this weekend.

“Parkrun is such an incredibly friendly and welcoming event and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Some take dogs, push buggies and carry babies. There is a tail runner that will walk at the back of the run, so no one is ever left behind or forgotten about. Everyone is cheered over the finish line.”

But it’s not just what you do it’s where you do it that seems to have captured the imagination at Penrhyn.

“There is something special about running in the great outdoors and the beautiful parkland, historic setting and amazing views of Snowdonia and the North Wales coast makes Penrhyn Castle the perfect setting to blow away the cobwebs on a Saturday morning.”

To celebrate its 1st year at Penrhyn this Saturday there will be a tea party in the castle after the run with hot drinks and cake for everyone.

Parkrun Facts

The course starts and finishes at the Castle, traveling 5km around it’s parkland on a designated route, carefully mapped out by volunteer marshals.

On average over the year there have been 105 runners each Saturday.

There have been 1,794 different runners who have taken part.

The course has been completed 5,342 separate times over the 51 runs

"
We’re really grateful to the parkrun volunteers and the hard work they do; it wouldn’t be possible without them. This celebration is as much a thank you to them as it is a chance to celebrate a great first year at Penrhyn"

Onward and upward in 2016

In the coming year Penrhyn Castle will also continue to build on its #LetTheOutdoorsMoveYou campaign in partnership with Sports Wales, to get people of all abilities and ages outdoors and active.

2016 will see the addition of a Breeze Cycle Ride programme - designed to get more women comfortable and confident riding bikes, a 10 week beginners run programme, Sunday morning training classes, Woodland Workouts and Tennis Taster sessions in partnership with Bangor Tennis Club.

Join in

If you fancy joining in you can just turn up, or if you would like to have your time recorded, you can register in advance with Parkrun UK to get a barcode, here: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/